RADIOTHERAPY

I. Gamma rays--produced by radioisotope decay

II. X-rays--produced by linear accelerators; more energetic

III. Kills cells M phase; chemo kills cells during synthetic phase

IV. Adverse effects

1. Overall 2% chance of inducing cancer
2. Other adverse effects: pancytopenia, cerebral edema

• 1 CXR = 10mRad
• 1 barium enema = 875 mRad
• Background radiation of living = 90mRad/yr